Friday wrap: Marauders, Cougars fall at home

Mt. Vernon and Greenfield-Central both fell at home to strong programs Friday night, seeing some outstanding individual performances.

In the game we broadcast, 4A No. 2 Hamilton Southeastern pulled away to beat Mt. Vernon 67-39 in a game that was pretty close for a half. HSE's Zak Irvin led a blistering start in which the Royals scored 23 first-quarter points and built a double-digit lead, but MV's C.J. Coleman scored eight in the second quarter and closed the Royals' lead to 28-22 before HSE scored the quarter's final six points.

But that's where Gary Harris, one of the top players in the nation, stepped in. He scored nine of his 17 points in the third quarter -- including a personal seven-point run that included a dunk, a jumper, a steal and a 3-pointer that quickly built the Royals' lead to 44-26. HSE would use a relentless defense to extend it from there.

The Royals are strong and deep, putting together an attack with four double-figure scorers for the second straight game. Harris, who will be playing for Michigan State next year, scored 17. Irvin -- a 6-7 junior guard headed to Michigan -- had a game-high 18. Guard Jacobby Bledsoe scored 14 points, including four 3-pointers. HSE's Paul Furlin also hit double-figures.

Coleman led MV with 15 points. Stephen Turner scored 13 for the Marauders, including eight in the first quarter.

MV next plays next Friday against Pendleton Heights on the road. MV is now 2-1 on the year.

Meanwhile, Greenfield-Central fell to New Castle 62-35. The Cougars did put forth their highest point total of the year in the loss, which dropped them to 0-4.

Mason Irbe led G-C with 9 points, with Grant Wolfe scoring 8. Austin Goolsby scored 16 points and Kendall Ryan 14 for the Trojans.

Three games are on the boys docket Saturday, all at 7:30
Eastern Hancock at Southwestern (Shelby)
New Palestine at Rushville
Southport at Greenfield-Central

In girls action, all four teams will be in action for Saturday afternoon games -- EH (vs. Union County), NP (vs. Delta) and MV (vs. PH) will be at home, while G-C will travel to Rushville. Join our crew for the Mt. Vernon vs. Pendleton Heights game, with the broadcast at 2:10 p.m. Listen LIVE on HancockCountySports.com!

Next week, join us at approximately 5:40 p.m. Friday for girls and boys basketball, as the New Palestine Dragons host the Greenfield-Central Cougars in a doubleheader -- the first of back-to-back Friday doubleheaders. The following week, we'll have MV at NP girls on Dec. 15, then EH vs. Knightstown boys and girls on Dec. 16.

A basketball weekend

We have a big hoops weekend coming up on HancockCountySports.com.

Friday night, two of the four county basketball teams are in action. Join Andrew Smith and Chris Lambert for the call as the 2-0 Mt. Vernon Marauders take on the 1-0 Hamilton Southeastern Royals. HSE is ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, the Marauders are just outside the top 10 in Class 3A's AP poll. Michigan State recruit Gary Harris will be in the house and we're looking forward to a great game.

Airtime is 7:10 p.m. on HancockCountySports.com!

Also Friday, Greenfield-Central (0-3) will host New Castle (2-0) with a 7:30 tipoff.

On Saturday, all four girls teams will be in action during the day. Join Chris Lambert and Greg Elkins for the call as 3A No. 1 Mt. Vernon puts its 4-1 mark on the line against Pendleton Heights, a team receiving votes in the 4A poll and is also 4-1. The broadcast begins at 2:10 p.m. on HancockCountySports.com.

Other games going on Saturday afternoon: Delta at New Palestine; Greenfield-Central at Rushville and Union County at Eastern Hancock.

Saturday night, three of the four boys teams are in action. Eastern Hancock (1-1) will travel to Southwestern (Shelby), Greenfield-Central will host Southport -- a team coached by former Cougar Wes Peek -- and New Palestine (1-1) will head to Rushville to open conference play.

Next Friday, join us for a doubleheader: Greenfield-Central at New Palestine, 6 p.m. airtime on HancockCountySports.com!